Life-boat.



No. 67|,5l124 Patented Apr. 9, |90I. F. SULTEMEYEB.

LIFE' BOAT.

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No. 67|,502. Patented Apr. 9, I90I. C. F. SULTEMEYER.

l LIFE' BOAT. (no uodgl) (Applietian n-led Apr. 12, 1900.) sheetssheet 3.

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No. 67|,5o2. Patented Apr. 9,` Ism.

c.- F. suLTEMEYEn.

LIFE BUAT.

(Application led Apr. 12, 1900.)

(No Modal.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES F. SULTEMEYER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

LIFE-BOAT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 671,502, dated April 9, 1901.

Application tied April 12,1900.

To LZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES F. SULTE- MEYER, a citizen of the United States, resida ing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Boats, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to boats, and has for its object to provide a new and improved boat particularly adapted for use as a life-boat.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure lis a plan View of a boat embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the same. Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional View on line 3 3, Fig. l. Fig. tis an enlarged sectional view showing the connection of one of the bottom planks of the boat to the inflated tube. Fig. 5 is a view showing the connection of one ofthe seats with the inflated tu be. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section through a portion of the generating or inilating mechanism. Fig. 7 is a section on line 77, Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a plan view of the holding device for the generating or inflating apparatus. Fig. 9 shows a modified form of generating or in flating mechanism. Fig.l0 shows a modified con-` struction of inflatable tube.V

Like letters refer to like parts throughout the several figures.

The ordinary life boats as a rule occupy so much space that too few of them are used, and they are also very heavy and defective in many particulars. One of the objects of my invention is to provide a life-boat in which these defective features will be obviated.

The boat herein illustrated is made of flexible material and any suitable material may be used-such, for example, as canvas or the' like. There are also 'provided one or more suitable flexible intlatablechambers arranged around theedges of the boat and preferably forming what maybe termed the sides ",of the boat. It is of course evident that any number of inflatable chambers may be used, and they may be arranged and constructed in anydesired manner. For purposes of illustration I have shown the inflatable chambers as consistingofaflexibleinflatabletubeA,extending entirely around the edge of the boat and forming the sides thereof. The bottom of the boat Bis formed of flexible material, suoli as canseriai No. 12.507. (No man.)

vas, and is fastened to the chamber or tube A in any desired manner, as by sewing or the like. There are two sets of transverse braces, one set, C, being placed at the bottom of the boat and act-ing as foot-rests, the other set, D, being placed near the top of the boat and acting as seats. The ends of the bottom braces C project under the edge of the tube A, as shown in Fig. 4, and are held in place by the bottom B of the boat. The bottom braces C are attached to the bottom of the boat by means of flexible or canvas straps C. The upper braces or seats D are fastened to the ilexible piece D', attached to the tube A. This flexible piece is preferably looped, as shown in Fig. 5, and the upper part is preferably passed over the top of the tube, the outer end being free, so asto forni a flap D2, adapted to move upwardly to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3 when'a wave strikes the boat. Suitable holding-straps D3 are connected with the flap or flaps D2 and withthe tube, so as to prevent the flap from falling over when it is moved upwardly. I may also attach to the flap a life-line E, which extends part or all of the Way around the boat, the line being connected at intervals with the flap or the tube. I prefer to have the piece D continuous, so that there will be a continuous flap D2. It will be seen that this flap tends to heighten the boat whenever the waves wash up against it. I prefer to provide the seats with suitable pressure-plates D4, which areinterposed between the flexible piece D5aud the tube A; These pressure-plates take up the pressure of the seats and give a larger surface, so as to prevent the seats from injuring the tube A. I also prefer to provide aseries of crossbraces D5, as shown in Fig. 3, one end being connected with the seat and the other end with the bottom of the tube. 'This connection to the bottom of the tube may be made in any desired manner, as by providing a suitable flexible strap DG, as shown in Fig. 4, sewed or otherwise attached to the tube A, said strap being provided with an eyelet D7, through which a rope may be passed, the rope acting as a transverse brace.

When thev tube A is deflated, it of course is flexible and may be rolled up; but whenit is inflated said tube while yet flexible acts as a longitudinal brace to keep the boatin shape.

IOS

longitudinal braces, better results are obtained if the front part is pulled instead of being pushed.

Some suitable means is provided for inflat- It is of course evident that i any desired means for this purpose may beY ing the tube A.

utilized. I may, for example, provide a suitable air-pump, which can be attached to the tube, so that it can be iniiated by air, it only being necessary for some one to operate the pump. I prefer, however, toprovide some automatic means of iniiating this tube, so that it will normally be defiated when on the vessel, but will automatically become inflated when the boat is thrown into the water. is of course evident that various constructions may be used for this purpose, and I will not attempt to show all such constructions. I have, however, illustrated some effective devices which may be used for this purpose.

Referring now to Figs. l and 6, I have shown a suitable gas-generator adapted to be set in action so as `to generate a gas when it is desired to infiate the tube. This generator may be constructed in any desired manner and, as herein shown, consists of a cylinder G, connected at each end with the tube, as shown in Fig. 1. This cylinder contains aduplicate set of parts, and I have illustrated itin detail in Fig. 6, showing only one endof the cylinder. It will be understood, of course, that the cylinder projects on the right of Fig. 6 and contains a similar mechanism to that shown on the left of the center in said figure. This cylinder G contains two movable boxes G', containing some suitable material adapted to be converted into a gas. VFor purposes of illustration I have described this material as calcium carbid. Each box is providedwith a central chamber K, having suitable perforations, said chamber being open at the end` nearest the tube A, so that the gas generated in the box'may escape and passinto said tubei Each box is also connected with a suitable Iiexible connecting-piece G2, with a drum or pulley G3, carried by the shaft G4, suitably mounted, and having the ends projecting through the cylinder. A spring G5 is interposed between each box and a suitable stop G6 near the middle of the cylinder. This stop, as herein shown, consists of a ring having a iiange at each end thereof, and the shaft G4 passes therethrough, as shown, so as to hold the stop in place. A suitable stop K' is provided near the Outer end of the cylinder to engage the boxes G and limit their movement away from the center.

Some suitable means is provided for rotating the shaft G4 and winding up the flexible connecting-pieces G2 and thus drawing the boxes G toward each other and toward the shaft. As herein shown, the shaft is provided with a suitable cap-piece G7, which is screwed onto the end thereof and which is provided with suitable openings for one or more levers G8. A ratchet-wheel G9 is connected with said shaft, and` a holding-lever G10 is associated therewith and provided with a tooth which engages the teeth of the ratchet-wheel. This holding-lever holds said ratchet-wheel in any desired position.

The cylinder G is provided at its bottom with a projecting ring H, which is in turn provided with a part H', having a hole therethrough and extending through an opening in the bottom B of the boat. Suitable openings H2 are made in the cylinder G, so that water may be admitted to the cylinder. A holding-nut or the like I-.l3 is connected with the part H', and suitable protecting-washers H4 are interposed between said nut and the flange on the said part H. A check-valve H5 is located between the cylinder G and the part H', and bears on the inner face of said part. (See Fig. 6.) A spring HG is interposed between the check-valve and the cylinder, so as to normally hold the check-valve against its seat. The shaft G4 is preferably hollow and is provided with a rod H7. This rod is screw-threaded at its upper end and engages a screw-threaded part on the shaft. yIt will be seen that by screwing this rod downwardly it will engage the check-valve and hold it firmly against its seat, so as to seal the openn ing in the part H'. This rod H7 can be used to close the valve in the'event it becomes desirable to do this. When the boat has been inflated and is filled with people, the pressure might in some instances and under some conditions have a tendency to open this valve, and as the function of the valve vhas been performed this tendency can be prevented by screwing down the rod. The upper end of the rod is inclosed by the cap-piece G7. A suitable lock-nut H8 is associated with the rod.

Some suitable means or starting device is provided for setting the generating apparatus in operation. As herein shown, this starting device consists of a two-part cylinder H9, made up of the two parts I and I6, one being in- IOO IIOy

serted in the other, the two parts forming a telescopic device. The part I is connected with a flanged bottom piece I', having a hole therethrough and firmly, connected with the bottom of the boat. (See Fig. 7.) A suitable check-valve I2 is provided, said check-valve normally closing the opening in the flanged piece I. A suitable box I3 is contained within Wheel G9, and hence the shaft G4: Asuitable opening is provided in the part l6 to permit the air to escape, and a valve consisting of a pin I7, provided with enlarged or llattened ends, is placed in this opening. When the water enters the part I of the cylinder, it will come in contact with the carbid, the opening at the top of the cylinder permitting the air to escape as the water enters. This Water coming in contact with the carbid causes a gas to be generated, which lifts the upper part-that is, the part I6 of the cylinder-and releases the ratchet-wheel G9. When the boxes G' are drawn up toward the shaft G4, they engage the rubber washers or rings L, and when they are released and take the position shown in full lines in Fig. 6 they engage the inner face of the cylinder, so as to form a tight joint and prevent the water from passing into the tube A. I prefer to provide a suitable safety-valve M, which may be of Y any of the ordinary constructions and Which mally closed by the rotatable tube N'. able openings N3 are provided in the tube N', 45'

`operates to permit the gas to escape when the pressure reaches a predetermined point. This safety-valve prevents the tube A from being injured by an excess of pressure.

Instead of having an opening in the cylinder G so as to admit the water when it'is desired to generate gas in the generator I may store up the Water and provide some means for releasing this water when it is desired to inflate the boat. I have shown such a construction in Fig. 9. In this construction the cylinder Gacts as the box to hold the carbid and contains the perforated chamber K. At the middle of this cylinder is a water-reservoir N in which the Water is stored. A rotatable tube N is located in the reservoir and is provided With a series of perforation's, so as to permit the Water to-enter said tube. One or more pipes N2 lead to the cylinder holding the carbid, and these pipesy are nor- Suitso that When itis rotated a proper amount these openings Will connect with the pipes N2 and permit the water to pass from the reservoir and come into contact with the calcium carbid. This rotatable tube may be rotated in any desired manner, as by being provided with a non-circular end to receive a Wrench, or it may be automatically rotated by means of the starting device illustrated in Fig. 7. In this event a suitable spring N'is provided, one end being connected with a stationary part and the other With the ratchetwheel G9 or the tube N'. It Will thus be seen that when the starting device is operated so as to lift the holding-lever G10 the ratchetwheel will be released and the spring N4 will rotate the tube N', so as to connect the openings N3 with the pipes N2 and permit the escape of the Water. It is of course evident that any other means may be used to rotate this tube N' and that it may be directly connected with the starting device, but all versed in the art and I have not attempted to describe them in detail.

'l prefer to provide the cylinder G with some suitable supporting device, which is interposed between it and the bottom of the boat. I also prefer to have this supporting device of material which will act as a cushion. In the drawings I have shown this supporting device as consisting of an oakum sack O; but it is of course evident that any other suitable cushion device may be used.

I have shown 'and described one construction embodying my invention for the purpose of making the invention clear; but it is of course evident that the Various parts may be changed in form, construction, and arrangement and that some of the parts may be omitted and others used with parts not herein shown and my invention still be realized. I therefore do not limit myself to the construction shown.

I may use any desired agency in forming the different parts of the boat and holding them in the proper position While they are being fastened together. One means I have used is to form a frame having the shape of the tube and the boat, the canvas or other flexible material being stretched over this frame and then cut to the proper size and shape. The several pieces are then sewed together in any desired manner, the seams being double and the cloth placed face to face. The edges are preferably turned in and carefully nished, so as to secure great strength and accuracy. After the flexible material is sewed together and nished the cross-braces are inserted.

A portion of the cylinder G is bent outwardly, as shown at L', so as to form a space between the cylinder and the box, thus permitting the wat-er to pass into the bok through the perforations when said box is in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 6.

l have shown in Fig. l0 a modified construction of inflatable chamber or tube. In this construction the inflatable chamber is divided into parts, so as to form two or more chambers or tubes. Various other modifica- IOO IIO

used the word tube, but I wish it to be understood that I mean by this any chamber suitable for the purpose.

The use and operation of my invention are as follows: lVnen the boat is not in use, the two ends are rolled up toward the middle, so that the boat occupies a very small space and the rolls completely cover and protect the generator. The boat maybe held in this position bya rope passing therearound or in any other desired manner. When it becomes necessary to use the boat, it does not need to be lowered carefully, as it may be thrown into the water, it only being necessary to have a rope connected with it, so that it cannot escape. If the boat is provided with the automatic infiating mechanism shown in Fig. 6,

such constructions will readily occur to those the water enters the starting device or cylinder H9 as soon as the boat is thrown into the Water. inder andthe holding-lever moved so as to release the shaft G4. The springs G5 then force the boxes G' away from each other and produce a partial vacuum. The pressure on the outside then lifts the check-valve H5 and the water rushes into the cylinder Gr. This water comes into contact with the calcium carbid in the boxes G' and a gas is immediately generated, which passes through the perforations K and then out through the tube A, so as to inflate the same. I prefer to place justenough calcium carbid in the generator to properly inate the tube A. If too much is used, the safety-valve M operatesso` as to release the pressure. The boxes G upon being released take the position shown in full lines in Fig. 6, and by engagement with the inner face of the cylinder form a tight joint, so as to prevent the water from` entering the tube A. The boat, now being iniiated, takes the position shown in Figs. l, 2, and 3 and is ready to be used. When the tube or inatable chamber is deflated, there are no longitudinal braces, and the boat ofV course can be rolled up from the ends toward the middle. If now the boat is thrown into the Water in its rolled or folded position, it

will be unrolled by the entrance of the gas into the tube, and hence will automatically shape itself so as to be ready for use. When the device shown in Fig. 9 is used, the starting device simply turns the tube N', so as `to let the Water enter the cylinder G and come into contact with the calcium carbid. Gas is then generated and the tube inflated.

It will be seen that this boat is flexible and foldable, that it can be rolled up so as to occupy very little space, that it is always ready for an emergency, and that -when needed all that is necessary is to throw it into the water. It can be thrown into the water in its rolled-up position or in any other position, and when the automatic device is used will then immediately straighten out. It will further be seen that since the boat is flexible it is not injured by bumping against the side of the vessel. If, for example, the vessel should go down, the boat will rise to the surface and will not be carried to the bottom with the vessel. As this boat occupies a very small amount of space, a large number of them can be used upon a vessel in the same space now provided for life-boats. This boat is lighter in weight than the ordinary life-boat, and thus is much more easily handled.

The boat when in the water and filled with passengers can be moved by means of oars, or suitable sails may be provided. All of these details will of course depend upon the circumstances and can be arranged to meet the conditions as they arise.

I claiml. Afolding boat, comprising a flexible bottom, a flexible inflatable part extending around the bottom so as to form the sides of A gas is then generated in this cylthe boat, two sets of rigid `transverse braces, one connected with the bottom of the boat and the other with said inatable part, and means for inflating said part When it is desired to use the boat.

2. A folding boat made of flexible material and provided with a flexible inflatable part, which acts when inflated as the sides of the boat, two sets of transverse braces, one attached to the bottom of the boat and the other attached to said inflatable part, said sets of braces adapted to ybe brought close to each other when the inflatable part is deflated, the upper braces being moved upwardly when said partis inflated so as to -form seats for the boat.

3. Afoldin g boat, comprising a flexible bottom having a series of rigid transversebraces connected therewith, a flexible inflatable tube extending around the edge of Athe bottom so as to form lthe sides of the boat, la series of transverse braces connected with said tube and extending across the boat so as to act as seats, and a series of diagonal flexible braces, substantially as described.

4:. A life-boat, comprising a flexible body portion adapted to be folded and provided with an inflatable part,a gas-generator wholly within the boat and adapted to be connected with said inflatable part so as to inflate the same when it is desired to use the boat, and

an automatic starting device adapted to set said generator in operation.

` 5. A folding boat, comprising a flexible body portion, having a series of transverse braces and provided with an inflatable part, a gas-generator connected with said iniatable part so as to inflate the same when gas is generated, a separate and independent automatic starting device for setting said gas-generator in operation and adapted to be actuated by placing the boat in the Water.

6. A folding boat, comprising a flexible body portion .provided with an inflatable part, a cylinder having within it one or more movable boxes for holding gas-producing material, an actuating device adapted when re- IIO be admitted thereto,and a separate releasing v device for releasing said actuating device when it is desired to inflate the boat.

7. A folding boat, comprising a flexible body portion provided with an inflatable part, a cylinder having within it one or more movable boxes for holding gas-'producing material, an actuating device adapted when released to move said box or boxes so as to produce a partial vacuum in said cylinder, an opening in said cylinder so that water may be admitted thereto,and a separate automatic releasing device adapted when the boat is placed in the water to automatically release said actuating device.

S. A folding boat, comprising a flexible body portion provided with an iniiatable part,

a cylinder having one or more movable boxes for holding gas-producing material, a rotatable shaft, liexible devices connected with the boxes and the shaft so as to move the boxes toward each other when the shaft is rotated, suitable retracting-springs foi` said boxes, and a controllable opening in the cylinder, whereby when the shaft is released and the boxes moved away from each other material may be drawn through said opening into the cylinder.

9. A folding boat, comprising a flexible body portion provided With an inatable part, a cylinder having one or more movable boxes for holding gas-producing material, a rotatable shaft, flexible devices connected with the boxes and the shaft so as to move the boxes toward each other When the shaft is rotated, suitable retracting-springs for said boxes, a controllable opening in the cylinder, a locking device for said shaft and an automatic releasing device adapted to release the shaft When the boat is thrown into the Water and permit the boxes to be moved to their operative position.

10. A folding life-boat comprising a dexible body portion provided with an inflatable part, a gas-generator adapted to be connected with the said inflatable part, so as to inate the saine When it is desired to use the boat, a separate automatic starting device adapted to be operated by the water when the boat is thrown into the Water, and to thereupon act so as to set the generator in operation, a means for supplying a suiicient quantity of water to the generator to enable it to infiate the infiatable part.

CHARLES F. SULTEMEYER.

Witnesses:

DONALD M. CARTER, HoMRR L. KRAFT. 

